Reinforcing clip



June 17, 1952 N 2,601,125

REINFORCING CLIP Filed F613. 2, 1949 m r 24 J5 64 IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 17, 1952 REINFORCING CLIP John B. O'Connor, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Illinois Tool Works, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 2, 1949, Serial N 0. 74,137

This invention relates generally to means for reinforcing sheet material as, for example, sheets of a loose leaf binder, and more particularly to reinforcing elements especially designed to punch an aperture for accommodating a binder ring or post contemporaneously with the application of the reinforcing element to a binder sheet.

It has been common practice for many years to employ binder sheets having preformed apertures along one margin thereof for accommodating the ring or post of a binder. Efforts have heretofore been made to reinforce the material of the sheet in the vicinity of the aperture to counteract the tendency of wear and tear. In instances where perforations or binder holes are formed in a sheet just prior to insertion within a binder, it is the usual practice to employ a conventional punch. Then if the sheet material surrounding the aperture is to be reinforced, it is necessary to apply the reinforcing material after the punching operation has been completed. The present invention is primarily concerned with the provision of a reinforcing element of the type referred to above which is adapted upon application to a sheet to punch an aperture in the sheet. In other words, the invention contemplates elements capable of simultaneously punching a hole and thereafter reinforcing the material surrounding said hole.

More specifically, the invention contemplates a very simple one-piece element of the type referred to above, adapted to be stamped and formed from thin sheet metal stock, and to this end it is proposed to provide a pair of integrally connected annuli adapted when moved into clamping engagement with opposite sides of sheet material to punch an aperture and to provide a permanent reinforcement for the sheet stock.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a combined punching and reinforcing element as outlined above, which makes it possible for the user todetermine with accuracy and with ease the place along the margin of the sheet stock where an aperture is to be formed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combined perforating and reinforcing element which, after it has performed the perforating operation, will automatically clamp itself in position on opposite sides of the sheet so as to insure against inadvertent or unauthorized detachment from the sheet.

These and other objects of the present invention will be best understood upon consideration of the following specification and the accompanying drawings in which:

1 Claim. (oi. 129 1) Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a notebook binder in which the loose leaves therein have been equipped with reinforcing elements representing one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a reinforcing element made according to the present invention and which has been folded and snapped into position;

Figure 3 is a plan View of the reinforcing element of Figure 2 before application to a sheet of binder stock;

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the reinforcing element showing sheet material in position to be punched by the reinforcing element;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing the reinforcing element clamped in position on the sheet of material after punching a hole therein; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view in the vicinity of a clamping prong of the reinforcing element of Figure 5.

A reinforcing element which is representative of one embodiment of the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 20 and comprises two leaf or plate-like portions 22 and 24. As is best seen in Figure 3 these plates 22 and 24 are formed integral and are preferably joined by a bendable connecting portion 26. The plate 22 has formed thereon an extruded punch portion 28. This punch 28 is formed in the approximate geometric center of the plate 22 and is circular in shape. A punch receiving aperture 30 is provided in the plate 24. The aperture 30 is shaped to correspond to the punch 28 and is so positioned in the plate 24 that when th plates 22 and 24 are pressed together the punch 28 will accurately register with the aperture 30 as seen in Figure 5. The depth of the punch 28 is such that when the plates 22-24 are pressed together the punch 28 does not extend beyond the plate 24.

Paper engaging prongs 32 are provided on the periphery and extend laterally of the plate 22. When the plates 22-44 are clamped upon a binder sheet 34 as shown in Figure 5, these prongs penetrate the sheet and thus prevent subsequent shifting of the reinforcing element. It will be noted that these prongs 32 also engage the periphery of the plate 24 so as to counteract any tendency for the plates 22 and 24 to separate. However the prongs do not extend beyond plate 24. The manner in which the prongs 32 interlock with the paper and frictionally engage the periphery of the plate 24 is best seen in the enlarged view Figure 6. Although the prongs 32 as illustrated are carried by the plate 22, they could with equal facility be formed on the plate 24.

When the reinforcing element 20 is to be applied, a sheet 34 is placed as shown in Figure 4 with a plate of the reinforcing element on either side thereof and with the edge of sheet 34 urged against the foldin the connecting portion 26. The aperture 30 is positioned at the point through which it is desired that the ring 36 or similar binder element is to pass. moved toward the plate 24 until it is in the position shown in Figure 5. During this operation the punch 28 cooperating with the periphery of the aperture 30 will cut and force out a. portion 38 of the sheet 34, thus forming an aperture in the sheet 34 to accommodate thering 315.. The prongs 32 simultaneously interlock with the sheet 34 by.

being pressed through it and frictionally engage the periphery of the plate 24. The frictional contact between prongs 32 and the plate 24- and between. the; punch 28 and the periphery of the aperture 30-will hold the plates 22 and 24' in the position shown in Figure From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present invention provides a reinforcing: elementfor binder'sheets which is capableof simultaneously punching a holeand thereafterreinforcing the material surrounding the hole. This reinforcing element can bemade from sheet stock such as thin gage" aluminum or brass by well known and economical methods of fabrication. The extruded portion- 28-provides a smooth hearing; surface between the binding post and the reinforcing: element. Alsowhen the annular extension 28 is telescopically associated with aperture 30, as shown in Figure 5,. the sharp edges, of the stock: defining-the aperture are covcredby the extrusion.

Although a-preferred embodiment of the present invention has been. shown for purposes of illustration; it is to be understood that the invention contemplates other changes and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In. combination with sheet material to be re.- inforced around punched apertures-along a mar- Then the plate 22 is.

ginal edge thereof, the provision ot a reinforcing and punching element adapted for embracing application'over the marginal edge of the sheet material and comprising a pair of plate members integrally connected by a readily bendable hinge portion exteriorly embracing the marginal edge of the sheet with the plate members extending inwardly therefrom and overlying opposite faces of the interposed sheet, one of said plate members having an aperture therethrough, the other of said plate members having a cylindrical opening defined by an annular flange extending toward the aperture in the other plate member and registering therewith when said plate members are compressed toward one another with the sheet materiallclamped therebetween for forcing the said annular flange through the registering aperture in the other plate member, whereby to punch and remove the sheet material within the flange and provide an unobstructed aperture therethrough for receiving a binder post or ring; and-peripherally disposed projecting means on one of the plate members extending toward the other plate member for penetrating the sheet material therebetween and the said annular fiange snugly fitting within the registering aperture to position the said projecting means for frictionally engaging the said other plate member for resisting tendency of the plate members to separate about the hinge portion from clamped position on the interposed sheet material.

JOHN B. OCONNOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in. the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Nov. '7, 1932 

